A builder from Noida was allegedly cheated of ₹60 lakh by cyber fraudsters who lured him into investing in a purported online store chain promising high returns. The racket was initiated through a Facebook friendship and later executed through an app-based e-commerce investment scheme presented as a fast-profit business model. Following the complaint, the Noida Cyber Crime Police Station has registered an FIR and launched a detailed probe.
Fraud Started After Friendship With Woman Named ‘Mahi’ on Facebook
According to the complaint filed by the victim, a resident of Sector 43, he came in contact with a woman named Mahi on Facebook on August 20. Their conversations soon shifted to WhatsApp, where the woman projected herself as an entrepreneur associated with a booming online store chain.
She claimed that the model was based on global e-commerce platforms and offered 15–20% guaranteed returns on short-term investments. To win his confidence, she shared a link to an app named Wish Shop, assuring him that she would personally guide him in the business and that he could rely on her “guarantee”.
First Deal Shows 20% Profit; Credited Amount Boosts Trust
The complainant stated that under the woman’s guidance, he made a bulk purchase of goods on the Wish Shop platform, which he was told would be auto-sold online within 24 hours.
Within a day, the app reflected a 20% profit, and the amount was even credited to his bank account, significantly boosting his trust. This early payout played a crucial role in convincing him that the business was genuine.
Encouraged, he reinvested in two more rounds and each time saw timely returns. By now, his suspicion had almost vanished.
22 Investments, Totaling ₹60 Lakh, Made Till November; App Shows ₹1.10 Crore Balance
Over the next three months, the woman and her associates allegedly kept motivating the builder to scale up his investment, claiming that higher inventory purchases would attract higher returns.
Believing the business to be genuine, the victim invested ₹60 lakh across 22 transactions between August 20 and November 24.
Eventually, the Wish Shop app dashboard displayed a balance of ₹1.10 crore, including profits. Convinced that he had made substantial gains, the builder applied to withdraw the entire amount.
Fraudsters Demand ₹11 Lakh ‘Tax’; Create Pressure Using “US Government Account Freeze” Threat
Once the withdrawal request was submitted, the fraudsters informed him that the full amount could only be released after he paid ₹11 lakh as tax. This raised doubts, and the victim refused to pay.
Sensing hesitation, the fraudsters allegedly created fear by claiming that his trading account had been “blocked by the US Government” and that unless the tax was deposited, the entire balance would be frozen permanently.
It was at this point that the builder realised he had walked into a scam.
Victim Asks for Refund, Gets Blocked on All Platforms
When he confronted the woman and sought a refund, the fraudsters blocked his phone number, restricted communication on WhatsApp, and disabled his account access on the Wish Shop app. Left with no option, the builder lodged a complaint on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP) and later filed a formal FIR at the Noida Cyber Crime Police Station.
Cyber Police Trace Money Trail; Accounts Under Scrutiny
ADCP Cyber confirmed that an investigation is underway. The police are mapping the complete transaction trail of the bank accounts to which the money was transferred. Officials are also examining the backend of the app, tracing its servers, and identifying the network used to operate the fraudulent platform.
The officer cautioned the public against falling for high-return investment schemes, particularly those initiated via social media by unknown contacts.
